Village Inn’s Colorado Story: From Pancakes on Colfax to a National Chain
The story of Village Inn begins not in Denver, but in Colorado Springs. In 1956, Jim Mola and Merton “Andy” Anderson purchased a small restaurant called The Village Inn at 217 East Pikes Peak Avenue. Housed in the historic 1880 Grace Episcopal Church building—once known as Chapel Inn—the café gave them a name, a concept, and a foundation to build on.
By 1958, the duo opened the first Village Inn Pancake House on East Colfax Avenue in Denver. They saw a gap along the Front Range for pancake houses and leaned on Mola’s decade of café experience to fill it. What followed was a period of rapid growth. By the late 1960s, there were nearly 40 locations in 20 states, and by 1971, that number had climbed to 60—without a single closure.
Much of the success came from a rigorous franchising model. Every potential operator went through nine months of hands-on training in Denver, covering everything from kitchen operations to accounting. Restaurants were carefully placed in busy areas and designed with standardized layouts. Even furnishings were supplied by Village Inn’s own subsidiary, ensuring a consistent experience across the chain.
In 1977, Mola and Anderson sold the company, which later became Vicorp Restaurants, Inc. The brand expanded further in the 1980s by acquiring the Bakers Square pie shops. But like many casual dining chains, it hit financial troubles in the 2000s. After Vicorp filed bankruptcy in 2008, closing dozens of locations, Village Inn changed hands several times, most recently being acquired by BBQ Holdings, Inc. in 2021.
Despite the ups and downs, Village Inn remains a familiar name in Colorado and beyond. Known for its hearty breakfasts, comfort food classics, and award-winning pies, the chain still operates more than 100 restaurants nationwide. For many families, it’s a reminder of a Colorado-born idea that turned into a beloved American tradition.
